New Online Patent Cooperation Treaty Application Tool Launched In Canada

by Mike Godfrey, for LawAndTax-News.com, Washington

07 October 2008

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has announced the launch of a new online tool for filing Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications, which became available on the CIPO website as of September 29, 2008.

CIPO's PCT E-Filing initiative offers clients the opportunity to prepare an international application using the latest version of the World Intellectual Property Office's (WIPO) PCT-Safe software, and sign it using a WIPO-issued digital certificate; the application can then be electronically filed to the Canadian Receiving Office using the new filing module on CIPO’s website.

Currently, CIPO receives roughly 70% of its international applications using the PCT-Easy mode of PCT-Safe software downloaded from the WIPO website.

Applications prepared with PCT-Easy are filed on paper, and then accompanied by the requested form data and abstract on CD or DVD. The International Application number is generated manually with approximately a one-week turnaround time.

Now, with the new e-filing system, applications will be uploaded and verified immediately before submission, with an International Application number generated automatically.

Clients will also be able to pay the relevant fees using credit cards, and access their filing history. The process will result in easier filing for the client, as CDs and DVDs are no longer required.

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